ABOUT THE CLARK FARMILY
The Clark Family farms in central Indiana using practices that mimic nature. Rick, a 5th generation farmer from Williamsport, IN, with support from his wife Carol, started using these practices in 2013 . Since then, the family has experimented with systems and practices that are better for the natural systems, with the primary goals of building soil health and achieving balance with Mother Nature.
Rick has developed and is constantly improving a systematic approach to regenerative farming. He has successfully incorporated regenerative farming practices with all acres being certified organic. He refers to it as 'regenerative organic stewardship with no tillage'. Through this method, he suppresses weeds and builds soil health with cover crops, livestock, and no tillage.
Today, Rick and Carol's children, Jessica and Rachel, son-in-laws Michael and Erik, and grandbabies, Charlotte and Noah are learning how to farm utilizing these methods that improve food nutrient density and ecosystem health.
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Click here to learn more about the Clark Family's farming methods.
OUR VALUES
Our values are founded in faith, family, and farm. We believe that community, human health, land stewardship, and ecosystem health are tightly connected, and we strive to build each of these through our daily activities in the following ways:
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Regenerative Organic Land stewardship:
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We have eliminated all tillage, fertilizers, and pesticides.
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We plant diverse cover crops to keep living roots in the soil at all times.
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We plant pollinator strips and cover crops to provide easy access for pollinators and wildlife to thrive.
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We frequently rotate our crops (2-3x/year in each field) to improve plant and insect diversity. We have over 7 crops growing on our farm at any one time.
Ecosystem Health​
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Clean water: By eliminating external inputs (i.e. fertilizers) and tillage, and planting cover crops, we reduce the amount of pollutants in our waterways. Benefiting local communities and native stream + river ecosystems.
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Carbon sequestration: reducing tillage, planting cover crops, and integrating livestock all work to increase the amount of carbon stored in our soils.
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Increased diversity: crop rotations, livestock integration, pollinator strips, and cover crops all help native species thrive.
Human Health:​
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Research has demonstrated that crops and livestock grown in a regenerative manner is more nutrient dense, meaning there are more nutrients in every ounce of food grown on our farm.
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Our crops have no pesticide residues to contaminate your food.
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Improved water and air quality for everyone downstream and downwind.
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Our awards
- 2017 Danone Sustainable Farmer of the Year
- Land O’ Lakes Outstanding Sustainability Award
- Regional winner of the American Soybean Association’s Conservation Legacy Award
- 2019 Field to Market Sustainable Farmer of the Year award
- Keynote speaker at the 2019 National No-Till Conference
- No-Till Magazine Cover
- 2022 National No-Till Innovator of the Year
Media+
Publications
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Green America: "Indiana Farmer Offers Practical Example of How Soil Health Can Transform Agriculture"
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Field to Market: "Regenerating the Land: Indiana Farmer Rick Clark Celebrated for Sustainability Leadership and Outstanding Conservation"
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Indy Star: "The Biggest Obstacle is Change: How Farmers are Being Convinced to Update Their Methods"
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No-Till Farmer Podcast: "Regenerative Organic No-Till with Rick Clark"